Message from the Marathoners

There will be times when your responsibilities call for you to go beyond the scope of your job. It won’t always be fun to log hours on the weekend, at the crack of dawn or after business hours when everyone else has clocked out – it can be downright lonely. But it will be worth it to be prepared for the big presentation or sales call.

Today, the runners take over the streets from Hopkinton to Boston and hundreds of thousands of spectators will gather on the sidelines to shout cheers of encouragement, pass out orange slices and marvel at how amazing a feat it is to run the 26.2 mile-Boston Marathon in two hours, or four or six. Just doing it one day is pretty incredible.

But the truly impressive part is not the race day performances but the months of training that precede it. At my daughters’ Marian High indoor track banquet last month, their coach, Dan Sullivan, told the team, "It’s all the things you do when no one is watching that will make you successful in sports, in whatever you do." I love that.

The Boston Marathoners have endured a lot when no one was watching, just for the chance to race on April 15. Here are just some examples and how they can inspire your professional communications.

Marathoners spend lonely hours racking up miles.

Many marathoners buddy up on training runs, particularly the long ones. But there are still many occasions when they are up at the crack of dawn before work or lacing up the sneakers after a long day to get in a run. Logging these hours pays off in the end, but when that alarm goes off before the sun comes up or the couch and a cold beer are tempting you in the evening, it’s not easy.

Your Tip: There will be times when your responsibilities call for you to go beyond the scope of your job. It won’t always be fun to log hours on the weekend, at the crack of dawn or after business hours when everyone else has clocked out – it can be downright lonely. But it will be worth it to be prepared for the big presentation or sales call.

Marathoners invest in the food, shoes and clothes they need to perform well.

I can’t believe how far the nutrition options for marathoners have come – the goo, electrolytes and other goodies that maintain salt balance, keep you hydrated and prevent blood sugar from falling are extraordinary. Then there are the high-performance shoes, shorts, shirts, and socks – and the logistical arranging to have food and clothes ready for you along the route on race day. And don’t even get me started on the cool apps that map your run, announce your pace and track your progress. Today’s runners spend valuable time and money making sure they have the right, unique mix of nutrition, clothing and information on training runs and race days.

Your Tip: To perform at optimum levels when you are giving a presentation, leading a sales call or going on a job interview, make sure you have given your body the fuel it needs to be alert and energized without being anxious. Choose the clothes that make you feel your best and take the time to make sure that all of your technology will be working flawlessly.

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Marathoners call in the experts when necessary.

From chiropractors to massage therapists, from coaches to contacts who may have access to a coveted Marathon number, runners rely on others for a successful training season and race day. They fit these appointments into packed schedules and build these relationships as a way to be as prepared as possible on race day.

Your Tip: You can’t be successful professionally without the support and service of others. Take the time to build relationships with mentors and contacts and to engage with quality service providers you can count on when you are preparing for a big opportunity.

Marathoners endure the unexpected and adjust course when necessary.

It’s been a very snowy winter this year, with snowstorms battering New England regularly throughout marathon season. Many runners have dealt with injuries, illnesses and life circumstances that have put a kink in their training plans. But like the true champions they are, marathoners roll with it. Too snowy to run outdoors? How about 17 miles on a treadmill at the gym? The Boston Marathon has been known for its wide range of weather possibilities – from snow to rain to extreme heat to brutal winds. A flexible, good-natured attitude is simply required.

Your Tip: The unexpected should be expected. You can do your best to prepare but that will never guarantee a smooth ride on game day. So learn to adapt and adjust and communicate gracefully at all times, but especially when things go wrong.

I’m spending race day with my sister and our kids at the Newton Fire Station, cheering the runners on as they take the turn that brings them to Heartbreak Hill. And I’ll be waiting with great anticipation for my favorite 2013 Marathoners: Julie Tambascio, Karen Rothwell, Jeff Constantine and, of course, my husband Steve. Good luck to all!

Maureen O’Grady Condon, a Framingham resident, is principal of Precision Marketing Group, a virtual marketing department for entrepreneurial, B2B companies. Contact her at Maureen@precisionmarketinggroup.com or @maureenpmg on Twitter.